7 Benefits of Providing Employees With a Stand Up Workstation Desk
Did you know that sitting at your desk all day long could be incredibly bad for your health?
In fact, studies have shown that sitting at a desk for more than 30 minutes at a time could actually trim years off your life. Even if you get a lot of exercise outside of your office, the simple act of sitting could have long-term ramifications on your overall well-being.
One way for employers to combat this is by setting each of their employees up with a stand up workstation desk. It will allow employees to stand more often and keep the blood circulating through their bodies when they’re working.
There are so many health benefits your employees will be able to enjoy when you set them up with a stand up workstation desk. Take a look at 7 of those benefits below.
1. It Will Help Them Burn Calories and Lose Weight
Do you want to lose weight? One of the easiest ways to do it is by choosing to stand rather than sit.
While it might not feel like you’re putting in much effort by standing, you can burn more than 100 calories an hour when you stand. Even if you’re standing still in one place, you will burn calories at a relatively rapid pace.
When you install a stand up workstation desk for each of your employees and encourage them to stand more often, you will be helping them to lose weight.
If they stand for just one hour every day, they will burn upwards of 500 calories a week, which will make a real difference.
It won’t be long before your employees are becoming healthier people right before your very eyes.
2. It Will Keep Blood Sugar Levels Lower
After you eat a meal, your blood sugar levels will typically spike. That spike can cause issues in some people, especially those dealing with a disease like diabetes.
Studies have suggested that, by standing after a meal, you can actually keep your blood sugar levels low and stop a spike from coming on.
Those who stand for longer periods of time at a stand up workstation desk seem to benefit from taking this approach the most. But even those who only stand for a few minutes after lunch can seemingly benefit from it in a big way.
If nothing else, standing will help burn off those calories you consumed at lunch and help you avoid a blood sugar crash later that can leave you feeling lethargic.
3. It Will Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Way back in the 1950s, researchers conducted a study on a group of bus conductors. They found that those conductors who stood regularly were less likely to deal with heart disease later in life than those who sat all day.
That same belief still holds true today. The thought is that, by standing, you will reduce the risk of heart disease exponentially.
So if you’re an employer trying to keep your employees healthy in both the long and short term, you can do it by installing a stand up workstation desk for each person who works for you.
4. It Will Cut Down on Back Pain
One of the worst parts about sitting down at a desk all day is that it can really take a toll on your back.
You can run out and buy your employees the best office chairs in the world. They can offer all the back support a person could possibly want.
But if an employee spends eight hours or more sitting in the chair, they’re still likely to experience some level of back pain.
With an affordable standing desk, that back pain will usually disappear over time. While standing too much can also hurt a person’s back, standing for a little bit at a time can help the back muscles stretch out and relax.
5. It Will Bring Their Energy Levels Up
Is there a serious lack of energy in your office?
It could be because everyone is sitting around rather than working at a stand up workstation desk.
A study done in 2011 revealed that almost 90 percent of people experienced a jump in energy levels when working at standing desks as opposed to regular ones.
They also reported feeling less tired throughout the day and saw a reduction in their overall stress levels.
You might think that having your employees stand rather than sit would zap them of some of their energy. But in reality, it appears as though the opposite is true.
6. It Will Cause Them to Become More Productive
Standing at a desk instead of sitting at one does take some time to get used to.
Performing simple tasks like typing and jotting down notes is different when you’re standing.
But once your employees get the hang of it, they’re more likely to be more productive overall. They will constantly be in motion and, as their energy levels go up, they’ll get more work done in a shorter period of time.
There are other ways to increase productivity, too. For example, you can install new lighting in your office. You could also strategically place plants throughout your office space.
But ordering each employee a stand up workstation desk will offer the most bang for your buck. You’ll love all the work your employees finish at their new desks.
7. It Will Encourage Them to Work Closely With Others
When you work in an office space, getting up to go speak with someone can feel like a real chore. The simple act of standing and walking across the office can take a lot out of you.
But when you work at a standing desk, you’ll already be up out of your chair. So there won’t be anything stopping you from taking a quick walk across the office.
Employers will love how closely their employees start working together once standing desks are installed.
Buy All of Your Employees a Stand Up Workstation Desk Today
You can find all kinds of ways to motivate your employees and keep them sharp.
But giving each of your employees a stand up workstation desk is, hands down, one of the most effective ways to do it. Your employees will enjoy working at their new desks, and you will get to reap the benefits of it.
Read our blog for more tips on making your office a more productive place.